Smoked Gouda Alfredo Pasta with Bacon Recipe
This Smoked Gouda Alfredo Sauce recipe with milk offers a creamy, flavorful twist on the classic alfredo by incorporating smoky gouda cheese and crispy bacon. Served over linguine or fettuccine pasta, this rich and indulgent dish is perfect for a comforting dinner that’s easy to prepare.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 to 8 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients
Scale
For the Pasta
- 8 slices of cooked bacon
- 16 oz cooked linguine pasta or fettuccine noodles
For the Sauce
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 tablespoons all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 to 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup finely shredded Smoked Gouda Cheese (plus some for garnish)
- 1/4 cup finely shredded Parmesan Cheese (some for garnish)
- 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Boil water and cook the pasta following the package directions until al dente. Drain well and rinse under cold water to prevent sticking. Set aside.
- Make the roux: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, melt the unsalted butter. Add the all-purpose flour, salt, and ground black pepper. Use a whisk to blend the butter and flour mixture until creamy, smooth, and free of lumps. Be sure to scrape the edges to fully incorporate all flour.
- Add milk gradually: Slowly pour about half a cup of whole milk into the skillet, whisking quickly to combine with the roux. Then add the remaining milk, continuing to whisk until the sauce is smooth and begins to thicken.
- Incorporate cheeses: Once the sauce has thickened to a creamy consistency, remove the skillet from heat. Stir in the shredded smoked gouda and parmesan cheeses until melted and fully integrated into the sauce.
- Add bacon and combine: Chop the cooked bacon slices into bits and stir them into the cheese sauce until evenly distributed.
- Mix pasta with sauce: Add the cooked linguine or fettuccine noodles to the skillet and toss thoroughly until all the pasta is coated evenly with the smoked gouda Alfredo sauce.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle additional bacon bits and dried or fresh parsley flakes on top as garnish. Serve immediately for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Use smoked gouda for its distinctive smoky flavor that elevates this classic sauce.
- Adjust the black pepper to taste, especially if you prefer a milder sauce.
- Rinsing the pasta after cooking helps prevent it from clumping but also slightly cools it; warm it briefly before mixing with sauce if preferred.
- For a richer sauce, whole milk is recommended, but you can substitute 2% milk if desired.
- To make this dish vegetarian, omit the bacon and use vegetable broth for cooking pasta.
- Serve immediately to enjoy the sauce at its creamiest consistency.
Keywords: Smoked Gouda Alfredo Sauce, Bacon Alfredo, creamy pasta sauce, homemade alfredo, Italian pasta sauce
